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EmersonRose (320 KP) rated The City of Shifting Waters (Valérian and Laureline, #1) in Books
Nov 20, 2019
On July 21, 2017, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets came out in theaters the U.S. After watching the movie I found myself intrigued by the characters, world, and the passion shown by the director and writer Luc Besson showed for the project. I took this interest and decided to start reading the comic books. Thus far I have been able to read three of the volumes, as they are French comics they are not usually kept in stores and I have to order them.
The Valerian and Laureline comics follow Valerian, a handsome and cocky time and space traveler, and Laureline, his stubborn and beautiful partner. They travel together across space and time on missions for Galaxity, the capital of the Terran Empire in the 28th century. They explore strange worlds with fascinating creatures, deal with complicated political situations, and take the reader through rewritten history.
I immediately fell in love with the comics for the same reasons I enjoyed the film. The first is that the world that author Pierre Christin and artist Jean-Claude Mezieres created is truly fantastical. It falls under the same sci-fi mixed with fantasy genre that Star Wars is under. The great space galaxy is full of planets that are home to a wide range of alien species, each with complicated politics, cultures, and aesthetics.
The second reason is that I love the relationship between Valerian and Laureline. I am a very character driven person in both my reading and writing so I am a sucker for a good relationship, romantic, familial, or friendship. Valerian and Laureline start the first comic playing chess. Valerian is cocky and does not like to lose, but he is kind and smart and works hard to make the world a better place. Laureline is funny, stubborn, and unlike Valerian, she does not feel the same sense of loyalty to the Terran Empire and therefore is okay with bending the rules to save the most people. They make for a great team, and their fun banter adds to the overall charm of the story.
7810429The first issue of the series was released in 1967 and ran till 2010. Initially, all were written in French but has since been translated into English and several other languages. This series plays with a lot of the sci-fi/fantasy tropes that make you fall in love with stories in the genre, and has even been compared to Star Wars as the basis for several of the ideas used in the Star Wars films, such as the look of some of the characters and situations characters find themselves in.
This is a fun and exciting comic series that got me into reading101694 comics in the first places. I will certainly be continuing my reading of these books so that I can continue being apart of the Valerian and Laureline story. I also enjoyed the film and hope that the passion the Luc Besson showed will be enough to allow him to make another film in the series.
I would highly recommend this series!
The Valerian and Laureline comics follow Valerian, a handsome and cocky time and space traveler, and Laureline, his stubborn and beautiful partner. They travel together across space and time on missions for Galaxity, the capital of the Terran Empire in the 28th century. They explore strange worlds with fascinating creatures, deal with complicated political situations, and take the reader through rewritten history.
I immediately fell in love with the comics for the same reasons I enjoyed the film. The first is that the world that author Pierre Christin and artist Jean-Claude Mezieres created is truly fantastical. It falls under the same sci-fi mixed with fantasy genre that Star Wars is under. The great space galaxy is full of planets that are home to a wide range of alien species, each with complicated politics, cultures, and aesthetics.
The second reason is that I love the relationship between Valerian and Laureline. I am a very character driven person in both my reading and writing so I am a sucker for a good relationship, romantic, familial, or friendship. Valerian and Laureline start the first comic playing chess. Valerian is cocky and does not like to lose, but he is kind and smart and works hard to make the world a better place. Laureline is funny, stubborn, and unlike Valerian, she does not feel the same sense of loyalty to the Terran Empire and therefore is okay with bending the rules to save the most people. They make for a great team, and their fun banter adds to the overall charm of the story.
7810429The first issue of the series was released in 1967 and ran till 2010. Initially, all were written in French but has since been translated into English and several other languages. This series plays with a lot of the sci-fi/fantasy tropes that make you fall in love with stories in the genre, and has even been compared to Star Wars as the basis for several of the ideas used in the Star Wars films, such as the look of some of the characters and situations characters find themselves in.
This is a fun and exciting comic series that got me into reading101694 comics in the first places. I will certainly be continuing my reading of these books so that I can continue being apart of the Valerian and Laureline story. I also enjoyed the film and hope that the passion the Luc Besson showed will be enough to allow him to make another film in the series.
I would highly recommend this series!
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Treacherous Trails (Gold Country Cowboys #2) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
Another fantastic, captivating, cowboy novella from the talented hands of the wonderful Dana Mentink. She takes suspense and swoon worthy cowboys, a touch of romance and lots of inspiring messages and wraps them up in an unforgettable plot line.
Ms. Mentink’s Ella and Owen are beautifully chiseled into characters that will steal your heart instantly. I loved their story. Watching Owen and Ella come to terms with not only their feelings for each other, but also with who’s behind framing Ella, was an intense ride! I love when a book will do that to you!
This second installment in the Gold Country Cowboys series is definitely one that I recommend with a high flying 4 star praise. This book will keep you up late, turning page after page, biting nail after nail, as you fly through the book to get to the last page and see how the story ends. You’ll be dying for more from this talented author! I can’t wait for the next one. Well done, Ms. Mentink!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Ms. Mentink’s Ella and Owen are beautifully chiseled into characters that will steal your heart instantly. I loved their story. Watching Owen and Ella come to terms with not only their feelings for each other, but also with who’s behind framing Ella, was an intense ride! I love when a book will do that to you!
This second installment in the Gold Country Cowboys series is definitely one that I recommend with a high flying 4 star praise. This book will keep you up late, turning page after page, biting nail after nail, as you fly through the book to get to the last page and see how the story ends. You’ll be dying for more from this talented author! I can’t wait for the next one. Well done, Ms. Mentink!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Taken Girls in Books
Mar 24, 2019
A good debut
The Taken Girls is a unique take on the usual abduction stories in that girls are being taken but returned seemingly unharmed a short while later. It is down to DI Edina Ogborne (Ed) to find out just what the heck is going on.
Ed is a complex character and I have to admit that I found her frustrating and quite difficult to like particularly because of some of the decisions she makes in her personal life but she did end up growing on me by the end however, I'm not going to lie ... it was hard going. Having said that, this makes her all the more believable and if this is a start of a series, I am really interested to see how she develops and grows.
Written at a pretty good pace, although a little slow at times, with a few twists along the way, this book is a decent debut and G D Sanders is yet another author to put on my radar.
My thanks go to the publisher, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review of which this is.
Ed is a complex character and I have to admit that I found her frustrating and quite difficult to like particularly because of some of the decisions she makes in her personal life but she did end up growing on me by the end however, I'm not going to lie ... it was hard going. Having said that, this makes her all the more believable and if this is a start of a series, I am really interested to see how she develops and grows.
Written at a pretty good pace, although a little slow at times, with a few twists along the way, this book is a decent debut and G D Sanders is yet another author to put on my radar.
My thanks go to the publisher, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review of which this is.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Ripe for Murder (Cypress Cove Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Penny and Antonia have been invited up to Napa County to look at a wine train. The owner is thinking about creating one and wants to use some of their land for the track. The trip on the train turns deadly when one of the investor’s wives is murdered, and the only logical suspect is Antonia’s daughter. Penny might not like Chantal, but she knows Chantal isn’t a killer. Can she prove it?
While I enjoyed the first in this series, I liked this one even better. The book does a great job of setting up the new characters, and once we got to know them, we were off and running with a mystery. The plot was fantastic, and I had missed the clues until they were pointed out at the end. The returning characters are strong, and I enjoyed spending time with them again as well. Pour yourself a glass of wine, pick up this book, and enjoy.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-ripe-for-murder-by-carlene.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While I enjoyed the first in this series, I liked this one even better. The book does a great job of setting up the new characters, and once we got to know them, we were off and running with a mystery. The plot was fantastic, and I had missed the clues until they were pointed out at the end. The returning characters are strong, and I enjoyed spending time with them again as well. Pour yourself a glass of wine, pick up this book, and enjoy.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-ripe-for-murder-by-carlene.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Captain America: Civil War (2016) in Movies
Mar 30, 2018 (Updated Feb 14, 2020)
Thirteenth MCU movie is a supremely confident and accomplished piece of entertainment. Attempts to bring the Avengers under political control cause tensions within the group; these are only exacerbated when the Winter Soldier resurfaces and apparently commits a deadly attack on an international summit.
Despite the title, this is basically the third Avengers movie, and possibly the best one yet, with great performances and superbly staged action built around a solid script. The directors marshal a big story with lots and lots of characters and make it look very easy; no wonder they were signed up for the next (proper) Avengers film. On the other hand, despite the exhilarating thrills of sequences like the stunning airport battle, this is ultimately quite a dark and introspective film about guilt, loyalty, responsibility, and friendships stretched to breaking point, and this and the fact it is so dependent on having seen many of the previous films in the series means it is probably not the most accessible of Marvel pictures. For those who've been following along, however, this is one of the best film in what's currently the most consistently impressive film franchise in the world. Plus, Black Panther's in it, too.
Despite the title, this is basically the third Avengers movie, and possibly the best one yet, with great performances and superbly staged action built around a solid script. The directors marshal a big story with lots and lots of characters and make it look very easy; no wonder they were signed up for the next (proper) Avengers film. On the other hand, despite the exhilarating thrills of sequences like the stunning airport battle, this is ultimately quite a dark and introspective film about guilt, loyalty, responsibility, and friendships stretched to breaking point, and this and the fact it is so dependent on having seen many of the previous films in the series means it is probably not the most accessible of Marvel pictures. For those who've been following along, however, this is one of the best film in what's currently the most consistently impressive film franchise in the world. Plus, Black Panther's in it, too.
Merissa (11950 KP) rated The Cabin (Close Proximity #2) in Books
Oct 19, 2018
The Cabin (Close Proximity #2) by Erin M. Leaf
The Cabin is the second book in the Close Proximity series, and we meet Flynn who has just been jilted at the altar, and Beau, an artist from LA with a reservation gone wrong. Flynn offers his couch for the night, due to the weather conditions and the mix up, but finds more than he bargained for in Beau.
Whilst not as quick as The Elevator, this story is nevertheless a quick one, fast-paced and punchy, just like I would expect from this author. It is well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The bulk of the story with Flynn and Beau is set over one night, although there is a time lapse at the end.
I am thoroughly enjoying these books, even if the cynical side of me is snorting at the insta-love! Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Whilst not as quick as The Elevator, this story is nevertheless a quick one, fast-paced and punchy, just like I would expect from this author. It is well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The bulk of the story with Flynn and Beau is set over one night, although there is a time lapse at the end.
I am thoroughly enjoying these books, even if the cynical side of me is snorting at the insta-love! Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated WENDIGO in Books
Dec 5, 2018
AMAZING horror novella that introduces Blood of the Ysir saga.
In this book "Wendigo" is a term used by the indigenous inhabitants for demonic creatures who eat human flesh and are always ravenous. In other folklore the wendigo nature is a curse visited as a punishment on human cannibals when they first taste human flesh.
In this fictional world that we enter with Erik,
the curse is triggered by the same crime, but there are genetic requirements and the cursed can transform into powerful werebeasts. At one time, these creatures were treated as gods and fed by their neighbors, but the native peoples abandoned this practice and the creatures, who had human intelligence, shape shifting powers and massive strength and could not be killed, turned in anger to preying extensively on humans.
This book is well worth the read as a standalone novella if you prefer but if like me it snags from the beginning and you to continue following the journey so remember to check out the Blood of the Ysir saga to continue on the path. Highly anxious for the third in series now!!
In this fictional world that we enter with Erik,
the curse is triggered by the same crime, but there are genetic requirements and the cursed can transform into powerful werebeasts. At one time, these creatures were treated as gods and fed by their neighbors, but the native peoples abandoned this practice and the creatures, who had human intelligence, shape shifting powers and massive strength and could not be killed, turned in anger to preying extensively on humans.
This book is well worth the read as a standalone novella if you prefer but if like me it snags from the beginning and you to continue following the journey so remember to check out the Blood of the Ysir saga to continue on the path. Highly anxious for the third in series now!!
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Dragondoom (Mithgar book #5) in Books
Aug 10, 2019
Continuing in my quest to read this series in chronological order, this is a good book to enter into the land of Mithgar. A multiple POV book. It is a "love story" (it says so in the forward" but it is really subtle about it. The story starts in the middle and goes between the past and the present or near present. About hatred, greed, racism, even foolhardy pride. Yes, it actually has dragon's as well as stone giants. Also, if you get the 2002 edition you will get a glossary (it has spoilers), translation of words and phrases, and a partial calendar (again spoilers), so it's kind of cool seeing what the translation of the native languages.
Now that I'm older then when I first read this I admit I at times read it in a melodramatic way. but still a good read if a little long winded at times. The main characters are the Warrior woman Elyn and Dwarf Thork, with Elyn's twin Elgo as a not quite main but very important character.
This book had love, war, quests, and well almost everything. A fun read.
Now that I'm older then when I first read this I admit I at times read it in a melodramatic way. but still a good read if a little long winded at times. The main characters are the Warrior woman Elyn and Dwarf Thork, with Elyn's twin Elgo as a not quite main but very important character.
This book had love, war, quests, and well almost everything. A fun read.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) in Movies
Mar 13, 2020
Sleepaway Camp 1981: Sack Jason
Its Friday the 13th- my favorite day. To celebrate my favorite day, im going to review 3 of the Friday the 13th movies, starting with this one.
Part 2- picks up right after the first one. New Camp Consulers, a grown up Jason, though he's not wearing his hockey mask, he wears a sack over his face. I like the kills in this movie. Including Marks death- machete to the face, Jeff's and Sandra's death- implaled with a spear.
The only thing i dont like about this movie, that it ends all the suddenly. Thats this movies downfall, other than that its a good movie.
The plot: The second entry in the long-running horror series focuses on a group of teenage would-be counselors converging on Camp Crystal Lake for training under the tutelage of head counselor Paul (John Furey). Inevitably, Paul relates the story of Jason Voorhees (Warrington Gillette), a boy who ostensibly drowned at the camp and whose mother murdered a group of counselors in revenge. No one takes the tale seriously until a very much alive Jason begins gruesomely eliminating people.
Happy Friday the 13th.
Part 2- picks up right after the first one. New Camp Consulers, a grown up Jason, though he's not wearing his hockey mask, he wears a sack over his face. I like the kills in this movie. Including Marks death- machete to the face, Jeff's and Sandra's death- implaled with a spear.
The only thing i dont like about this movie, that it ends all the suddenly. Thats this movies downfall, other than that its a good movie.
The plot: The second entry in the long-running horror series focuses on a group of teenage would-be counselors converging on Camp Crystal Lake for training under the tutelage of head counselor Paul (John Furey). Inevitably, Paul relates the story of Jason Voorhees (Warrington Gillette), a boy who ostensibly drowned at the camp and whose mother murdered a group of counselors in revenge. No one takes the tale seriously until a very much alive Jason begins gruesomely eliminating people.
Happy Friday the 13th.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) in Movies
Apr 30, 2020
I am surprised at how much I liked this film. I think there is just as much to love as there is to hate - just like the first one - but I think the love outweighs a bit more! I think Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are what make this film. Their chemistry and their acting are incredible and one that can't be beaten by any other characters in this film.
The action scenes were fun to watch - Times Square, the power grid, the clock tower - but I do agree with some other reviewers in that it does start slow. Despite everything, I am really bummed that they didn't finish out the trilogy. My biggest pet peeve when it comes to film is when a studio starts a series and then doesn't finish it. I'd almost be happier to see it be done and be bad, than have it not be done at all. But what do I know?
I can't say I'll ever watch this film again unless I find myself weirdly craving Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man (which seems unlikely), but I am glad I watched it.
The action scenes were fun to watch - Times Square, the power grid, the clock tower - but I do agree with some other reviewers in that it does start slow. Despite everything, I am really bummed that they didn't finish out the trilogy. My biggest pet peeve when it comes to film is when a studio starts a series and then doesn't finish it. I'd almost be happier to see it be done and be bad, than have it not be done at all. But what do I know?
I can't say I'll ever watch this film again unless I find myself weirdly craving Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man (which seems unlikely), but I am glad I watched it.